The John Gorrie -- An Amazing Transformation from Historic High School to Upscale Condos in Jacksonville's Riverside Avondale Neighborhood.

John Gorrie Condos - Reading Room

Trivia Quiz: Every Florida resident should know this one. Who invented the first air conditioner? The answer is at the bottom of this article. (Do not skip ahead!)

John Gorrie Junior High School was built in 1923, and for decades was the center of learning for thousands of middle-schoolers throughout the years.  John Gorrie Junior High School closed in 1997 and was purchased by J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver in February of 2009. The school has been completely renovated to house upscale condominium units, and given the sheer size of the building, its Riverside location and historical significance, the renovation of the school is a great example of the continuing revitalization of the Riverside Avondale historic district.

John Gorrie Condos - Courtyard

The John Gorrie houses 68 condos with  studios, one and two-bedrooms and two-story townhomes from 800 to 1,800 square feet.  How do you change a High School into a condo? It’s easy! Just look at some of the residence floorplans based on the original John Gorrie Junior High School classrooms. One residence actually features the original auditorium stage and flooring. There’s artwork in the hallways where students walked to class.

The John Gorrie condos have the location that many Jacksonville home buyers covet and crow about. They’re located at 2525 College St. at the heart of Jacksonville’s Riverside Avondale neighborhood.

You’re within walking distance of everything the charming Riverside Avondale district has to offer: restaurants, niche boutiques and antiques sellers. It’s not far to the St. Johns River, with beautiful parks and giant oaks forming a magnificent canopy over many of the streets.

Here's your trivia answer for today: In 1844, Dr. John Gorrie, a physician, scientist, inventor and humanitarian, officially invented the first air conditioner and his original design for the first ice machine can still be viewed as part of the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.

Pretty cool.

John Gorrie Condos - Fitness Center

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (June 6, 2012) – The John Gorrie a condominium, one of Jacksonville’s premier condo communities, offers homebuyers more than beautifully appointed homes in meticulously restored historic school buildings. The condominium community also features unique amenities that encourage residents to become part of The John Gorrie lifestyle.

Located in the center of the main building, the restored original private courtyard provides residents with a tranquil outdoor gathering space. Featuring lounge chairs and tables, residents can relax with a good book and glass of wine or simply enjoy the sunshine and beautiful surroundings. Several residences at The John Gorrie feature direct access to the courtyard, while others access the courtyard through a common door.

The former principal’s office, also located in the main building, now serves as a reading room for residents. The room is adorned with refinished cabinets from the school, a pedestal from a former bird bath provided by the June 1926 class, as well as concrete benches donated by the 1929 class of students. The reading room is the perfect spot for a quiet escape or a game of cards with friends. It also features the modern convenience of Wi-Fi internet access.

A custom-designed fitness center is located in the annex building and boasts brand-new exercise equipment, weights and fitness machines. Original locker fronts line the walls of the fitness center and the room overlooks a lawn adorned with majestic oak trees. The private fitness center is only accessible to residents.

The John Gorrie a condominium features 68 residences including studios, one- and two-bedroom condominiums, and two-story townhomes ranging in size from 800 square feet to 1,800 square feet. Many of the floor plans offer distinctive layouts based on the original John Gorrie Junior High School classrooms. One residence features the original auditorium stage and flooring, while another home features the original crest with reproduced molding around the front of the stage. The hallways display as artwork original windows and doors, chalkboards, radiators and a teachers’ mail cubby.

Located at 2525 College St. in Jacksonville, Fla., in the historic Riverside-Avondale district, residents are within walking distance of cozy neighborhood restaurants, local boutiques and charming storefronts. Residents also enjoy close proximity to the banks of the St. Johns River, oak-canopied streets and a sampling of the area’s most marvelously maintained parks. The community is minutes from downtown Jacksonville, cultural landmarks such as The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens and national sporting venues.

For more information about the opportunity to own a piece of local history, call (904) 383-3688 or visit www.TheJohnGorrie.com.